Taxonomic Mysteries of the Lost Birds List
Nina Foster / 31 Oct 2025
What happens if a lost bird turns out to not to be a species at all? Here are nine birds on the list with questions about their taxonomic status.
Welcome to the Search for Lost Birds
Around the world, there are 121 species of birds have not been documented in the last decade. Can you help find them?
Latest News
Catch up on the latest news and stories about Lost Birds from around the world
Exploring the Western Solomon Islands to Get the First Photographs of the Vella Lavella Monarch
Josh Bergmark / 1 Oct 2025
Josh Bergmark tells the story of photographing Vella Lavella Monarch in the Solomon Islands, one of only a small handful of birds that have never before been photographed.
FOUND: Bismarck Kingfisher Documented for the First Time in 13 Years
Nina Foster / 10 Sep 2025
Bismarck Kingfisher
John Lamaris, a PhD candidate at Monash University, found the kingfisher while conducting research in New Ireland, Papua New Guinea.
About the Search for Lost Birds
We strive to understand and promote species of birds that are currently ‘lost’, meaning that at least 10 years have passed since they were last confirmed by photographs, sound recordings, or physical documentation. The Search for Lost Birds is a global partnership between American Bird Conservancy, Re:wild, and BirdLife International.
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